PBA: Mighty-PH off to Jones Cup

The seven imports of Philippine representative Mighty Sports Apparels had barely a week of training, but they will leave for Taipei, Taiwan today very confident of giving their William Jones Cup rivals, including defending champion Iran, a good fight.

“We are committed to play for Mighty Sports and we will give our best shot each game,” said Korean Basketball League (KBL) veteran Dewarick Spencer. “We know how passionate Filipino fans when it comes to basketball so we’ll do out best not to disappointment them.”

The 6-foot-4 Spencer normed 21.6 points when he played for Seoul SK Knights in Korea but his average raised significantly to 28.5 during his stint with Guaros in Venezuela.

Spencer’s fellow KBL import Troy Gillenwater sounded more confident.

“If we can find the chemistry early then we will have a good chance,” said Gillenwater, who averaged 26 points and 9 rebounds for Changwon LG Sakers.

Other imports of the team backed by Scratch It Pera-Pera Agad-Agad! and Symarom are no strangers to the Philippine brand of basketball having played for PBA teams at one time or another.

They are Al Thornton, Vernon Macklin, Zach Graham, Michael Singletary, and Hamadi N’Diaye – all of them have made an imprint with their respective clubs.

The locals are Jeric Teng, TY Tang, Sunday Salvacion, Larry Rodriguez, Edrick Ferrer and Fil-Am Jason Brickman – all of them have also a point to prove.

So talented are Mighty Sports’ imports that one of coach Bo Perasol’s concerns is how to balance their playing time and who will be the team’s take charge guy.

“That’s a good problem, so let us see,” said Perasol, who likewise made it known that he can play all five imports at a given time if the situation merits. “Our mission is to win as many games as we can so we’ll do what is best for the team.”

Thornton, who exploded for 69 points for the NLEX Road Warriors against the San Miguel Beermen last conference, arrived only last Monday but he’s still in great shape.

First to test Mighty Sports’ mettle is Taiwan on Sunday – a game Perasol considers very crucial.

“Honestly, I still don’t know my imports yet, although I know they are talented. That’s the challenge I’m facing and the challenge they’re also facing,” said Perasol. “We all have to be fast learners.”

Perasol will be assisted by Charles Tiu and Mike Fermin with Jean Alabanza acting as team manager. Heading the delegation is Dr. John Sy.

Aside from the Iranians and Taiwanese, the Mighty Sports dribblers will also face the national teams of Japan and Egypt. (REY C. LACHICA)